This Memorial Day, join Joni in praying for precious veterans of World War II who are still living today.
SHAUNA: Hi, this is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. And Joni, on this Memorial Day we owe such a debt of gratitude to the greatest generation ever. Those who fought in World War II.
JONI: Oh, we sure do Shauna. And you know, most of those men and women who served overseas in that war have passed away – it’s been what, 80 years since World War II. And on this special holiday, we honor those who fought decades ago in Europe or in the Pacific. And I’m thinking of Jim Mather who was born in 1923 down in Texas. His family didn’t have much; so, he grew up a tough kid, the school bully. By the time he was 19 years old, World War II was underway, and when Japan made the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was filled with anger, filled with bitterness. Jim wanted to fight; he wanted revenge and so, he hitchhiked 30 miles from Texas to Wichita, Kansas to join the U.S. Navy. At a tender age, this young man became a Navy pilot and saw 3 ½ years of active duty during the War. But then, a flight injury stopped him from pursuing his goal. And his goal was to kill as many of the enemy as possible. And I am guessing that it was disappointing for this young Navy pilot, but at least he was able to fly for 13 years in the reserves.
Yet God had his reasons for taking Jim out of the fight. He married, had children, built a career; but then, in 1956 he was introduced to Jesus. And that encounter made all the difference because after that, Jim claimed Christ as his Lord and Savior. And the bitterness vanished. All traces of the school bully disappeared, along with his anger and fierce hatred of old enemies. Yes, Jim Mather is proud of his service with the Navy during World War II, but to this day he will say that the greatest single event of his life was when he invited Jesus Christ into his heart. And you have to wonder – would Jim Mather have died in that fierce conflict of the war? If that had happened; had he become a casualty of the war, he would have missed the chance to hear the message of salvation. And his life – as well as his plane – would have plummeted into the dark depths of the Pacific Ocean. And young Mr. Mather would’ve been lost forever.
But God had different plans. In fact, Jim’s story is still being lived out. That’s right, Jim Mather is 101 years old. And I will add that his first wife passed away, and he remarried in 1995. And Jim and his second wife, Linda attend church not far from where Ken and I live. And, oh, what a testimony this couple enjoys. Everyone at his church and in the community loves this veteran of World War II, as he’s still effusive about his love for Christ. However, remember he’s 101 and right now Jim has to be in a skilled nursing facility, and his wife Linda? She will not leave his side. Things are hard right now, and they both need our prayers. So, on this Memorial Day when we honor those who have served our country, would you please remember to pray for this old Navy pilot? Ask God to encourage Jim and Linda’s hearts and to pour out his comfort and his encouragement on this precious man.
And if you would like to read more about Jim Mather’s story and see photos of him and his naval plane, then visit my radio page today at joniradio.org where I’ve provided a link to our local newspaper which, last year, did a feature on Jim when he turned 100 years old.
SHAUNA: Joni, there are not many survivors of World War II who are still alive, but Jim Mather is one of them.
JONI: That’s right.
SHAUNA: So, friends join us in praying for Jim and the precious few veterans of World War II who are still living.
© Joni and Friends